UCB and Immunomedics Inc. announced that data for lupus drug candidate, epratuzumab, were presented at the 9th International Congress on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Vancouver, Canada. These data showed that, in patients with moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), epratuzumab provided clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvements in disease activity. In the second half of 2010, UCB will initiate two Phase III studies of epratuzumab for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe lupus.

Treatment with epratuzumab 600mg weekly x4 (for a cumulative dose of 2400 mg) during a 12-week cycle provided greater BILAG improvement over placebo in disease activity in all affected body systems. Efficacy was particularly prominent in cardiorespiratory and neuropsychiatric systems in which symptom improvements are often difficult to achieve. Within specific body systems, the majority had symptom reduction or absence of active disease after treatment. This analysis supports that epratuzumab may be an effective treatment for SLE.

EMBLEM™ was a 12-week, multicenter, phase IIb, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to assess the efficacy and safety of epratuzumab, and to define a dose and regimen in patients with moderate to severe SLE. The primary efficacy measure in EMBLEM™ was a combined response index endpoint including several indices of SLE disease activity, primarily emphasizing BILAG.

Epratuzumab was associated with a similar incidence of serious adverse events (including infections) and infusion reactions compared to placebo.

Epratuzumab is a humanised monoclonal antibody targeting CD22 and modulating B cell activity. Although the exact role of CD22 is not fully understood, it is considered to be a regulator of B cell function. B cells are known to contribute to SLE by producing antibodies against the body's own cells and tissues, causing the immune system to turn on itself, resulting in inflammation and tissue damage.

UCB and U.S. based partner Immunomedics Inc. announced the enrollment of the first patient into EMBODY™ 1, one of two pivotal phase III studies of epratuzumab in patients with moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Patient enrollment for EMBODY™ 2 has also begun.
Both studi ... more

UCB and U.S. based partner Immunomedics Inc.announced that results from the phase IIB study, EMBLEM™, showed that certain doses of epratuzumab were associated with a meaningful and statistically significant reduction in disease activity in adult patients with moderate to severe active SLE. ... more

UCB and Immunomedics Inc. announced that data for lupus drug candidate, epratuzumab, were presented at the 9th International Congress on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Vancouver, Canada. These data showed that, in patients with moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), epratu ... more

Immunomedics is a New Jersey-based biopharmaceutical company primarily focused on the development of monoclonal antibody-based products for the targeted treatment of cancer, autoimmune and other serious diseases. Immunomedics has built a pipeline of therapeutic product candidates that util ... more

Evotec AG announced a collaboration with UCB to provide a broad range of in vitro pharmacology services.
Under the terms of the three-year agreement, Evotec will support UCB's in vitro pharmacology team in drug discovery projects across multiple target classes, particularly in the CNS space ... more

Seven of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies have signed up to a groundbreaking consortium aimed at accelerating the development of safe and effective therapies for Parkinson's.
The Critical Path for Parkinson's consortium will bring together leading academics; industry members Abb ... more

UCB and Baylor College of Medicine announced that they have started a strategic research alliance, led at Baylor by Professor Huda Zoghbi, that aims to discover new therapeutics to treat neurodegenerative disease.
This research alliance reflects UCB’s strategy to accelerate discovery and de ... more

UCB, Brussels, Belgium is a global leader in the biopharmaceutical industry dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of innovative pharmaceutical and biotechnology products in the fields of central nervous system disorders, allergy/respiratory diseases, immune and inflam ... more

UCB, Brussels, Belgium is a global leader in the biopharmaceutical industry dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of innovative pharmaceutical and biotechnology products in the fields of central nervous system disorders, allergy/respiratory diseases, immune and inflam ... more